#earthrunes

"I assure you, I have know the Regent for some time and she is a fine woman" Gowdeen tells the Dougal emmisary

Master Dugald ap Dougal is not sure despite this, "She maybe, but it sounds like this enforcement could lead to miltancy. Satyrs and they might clash... other kith might put duty first or encourage dreams of honor instead of love... This Banner House might presume it's will over theirs"

August approaches respectfully.

"Fiona isn't near as picky as you think, Master Dugald" Agincourt says

"Ah, Sir August himself" Gowdeen says and inclines her head to the knight despite outranking him.

Master Dugald nods as well, "Thank you for the invitation"

He bows.

"Most welcome, Master. Ladies."

"Don't know if you heard that, " Agincourt says "But Master Dugald has concerns that perhaps you can allay?"

"I would be happy to try."

"Well, sir, to repeat myself... for your benefit, I am worried this might be too much power over even such a small niche. Who is Banner House Truthbranch to put love above other dreams, to declare romantic couples are not to be driven by dreams of creation or honor?"

"Not just romantic couples, or groups, Master. All love."

"Oh? Families and friendships? " He says "Go on."

"Even the love of a maker and the made."

"you mean children or.. actual crafts?" He asks.

"Both."

"Now I wonder if you're not too broad" he says "Isn't all love mostly Fiona's perview?"

"Isn't Love to be universal?"

"Perhaps, but then that would leave why we need such a bannerhouse anyway whe nALL are tending to it?"

The master architect says "Forgive me for being difficult, but your House and mine have never been strong allies and we try not to vote over what to us are trivial matters"

"No offence taken, Master." A pause. "Would Dougal abstain?"

"possibly. There have been offers made for us to vote against you, but given the obvious source is Balor I'm not inclined by their ..well, I am seelie and honor is honor"

August nods. "Of course. And as to your question, Master, forgive me, but I do not see that all Are tending to love."

"Perhaps I should say all Seelie, even if it not their top priority?"

"I would make it -our- top priority."

"Interesting... I just don't know, "Dugald frowns

"Surely you won't vote against love?"

The Dugald looks at him, "Truly, Sir August" Raising a brow. "If you're seeking to win my vote by casting me as some villain against love itself..."

"I do not! Master, I know better.'

"I'm already doing House Liam a favor elsewhere... offering alterations to some holds in Feathered Serpent. THAT at least interests me. This politics is... mmph"

"If you cannot vote for us.... will you abstain?"

"Show me one thing of beauty you have crafted with your hands that I consider up to Dougal standards, here and now. ANd I will abstain."

August's jaw drops. "Ah. Well."

"Will .... will you come with me? I didn't dress to show my crafting, today."

"But... I have things that might convince you in my study."

"Lead on" The Baron says moving on his bronze leg.

August nods and leads the Baron to the small study; bare, focused, with a crash-cot and a large desk.

He raises a brow at the desk, "Servicable, but I hope furniture making isn't what you're going to show?"

"No, Master." He takes out samples of his work "I wrote the invitations for today. And for my wedding. And...." He lays them out.

He glances over them, "mmm more art than craft" Mutter mumble

"It is often difficult to see the line between art and craft when looking at the work of House Dougal." Sincerely.

"mm " a pondering "I suppose I must ask myself what purpose it serves, if it did more than just inspire... but rather had a practical craft like aspect while not losing the artistry. " Then he flips through and pauses, going to the bottom, "Sir August. I... feel I may have stumbled onto something private"

One of August's love letters to Coradel, his attempts to woo her by comparing her to natural wonders run wild.

August frowns slightly, looks.... and pinks. "Ah. Yes."

"I didn't realize... My apologies, Master."

"This is..quite stirring stuff. The writing is...artistic, yet clear. Forgive me for intruding on what is probably a private letter, but... the day you gave it to her? When you next saw her.. no less than 24 hours... did she...'thank you for it' with intimacy?"

The grump coughs a bit to contain his own slight embarrassment but he seems to expect an honest answer.

August goes red. "Ah. No, Master. We were not... ah, at the time. Intimate."

"So it failed to achieve it's goal. A pity. Well, we've all had works that didn't make the cut"

He shakes his head.